Promising Kickstarter game runs out of money, programmers, steam

A group of ex-Cryptic Studios veterans has shown what can happen when a Kickstarter project turns sour, as it has run out of money, programmers and options. Rick Dakan, project leader on Mob Rules' successfully-funded Haunts: The Manse Macabre, took to Kickstarter to explain that there are no longer any programmers working on the game, and that work on the title has halted. Although Dakan was not able to say whether he will definitely be picking up work again on the title, he noted that talks are currently underway with Blue Mammoth Games, who may potentially help the project through the completion. Talking to Forbes, Dakan explained that his team had burned the Kickstarter pledge money away quickly, spending around $5,500 a month, and that his handling of the staff on the game had been naive. Blue Mammoth's Matt Woomer added that talks with Dakan are currently in the evaluation phase, and that "It would be a shame for it to not be released." However, he added that it was a lot of work to take on, and that Blue Mammoth "are a small studio with lots of irons in the fire already." As for the money already invested in the game, Dakan says that all of the Kickstarter money has already been spent, but that he is willing to refund any backers who want to withdraw their support out of his own pocket. "We will get it finished," he adds, "but that's not what I asked you to sign up for and it's not what you gave us money for."